This week on “Sweetness and Light,” hie thee to the church on time. it’s an hour of June weddings!
We’ll have a comedy overture, “The Tinker’s Wedding,” by English composer Havergal Brian. Brian attained notoriety for his “Gothic Symphony,” a work so grand it entered the Guinness Book, when it was acknowledged as the world’s largest symphony. He composed 32 symphonies in all, 20 of them after the age of 80!
We’ll also hear a wedding march by Alexander Glazunov, composed to mark his parents’ silver anniversary and a processional by Philadelphia composer Robert Moran, written as a wedding gift for his friend, organist Robert Ridgell (then of Trinity Wall Street).
Camille Saint-Saëns wrote his confectionery, the “Wedding Cake,” a work for piano and orchestra, as a matrimonial offering to former Liszt pupil Caroline de Serres Wieczffinski (née Montigny-Rémaury). Imagine trying to fit that name on an invitation.
Speaking of the piano, anyone who took lessons surely bears the scars of Carl Czerny. But Czerny composed more than just exercises and etudes. We’ll hear his “Fantaisie brillante” on themes from Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro.”
We’ll also hear a work by Wolfie’s father, Leopold Mozart, a raucous, descriptive symphony called “The Peasant Wedding.” And a rowdy wedding it is!
Once experienced, there’s no turning back, so we’ll wrap things up with violinist Lara St. John’s polka band, Polkastra, and the “Shotgun Wedding March,” from their album, “I Do.” And I think you’ll agree, Spike Jones would be proud.
Look for me in my squirting boutonniere. Say “I do” to “Sweetness and Light,” this Saturday morning at 11:00 EDT/8:00 PDT, exclusively on KWAX Classical Oregon!
Stream it, wherever you are, at the link:
https://kwax.uoregon.edu/
Tag: Leopold Mozart
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Say I Do to June Weddings on “Sweetness and Light”
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Toy Symphonies a German Musical Quirk
Yet another interesting cultural quirk, to rank alongside the German fairy tale opera, the toy symphony (or “kindersinfonie”) seems to have been all the rage in Germany for well over a century, at least since Leopold Mozart’s cheeky lark, long attributed to Haydn, which includes plenty of drums, toy trumpets, and bird whistles. Depending on whether or not you have little ones congregating at your house, this may or may not be the escape from Christmas you’re looking for. Click on the links at your own risk.
Leopold Mozart, Cassation in G major, “Toy Symphony” (1760s)
Bernhard Romberg, Symphonie burlesque, “Toy Symphony” (1852)
“Kinder-Symphonie,” a late addition to the genre by Carl Reinecke (1897)
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Mozart Frogs & New Year Fun
May your New Year’s Day be filled with pleasant diversions.
It’s said that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed his “Kegelstatt” Trio in E-flat major, K. 498, while playing skittles (essentially bowling). The work, scored for clarinet, viola and piano, takes its name from a venue devoted to the pastime.
But it was Mozart’s dad, Leopold, who wrote a “Frog Divertimento.”
Nothing says Happy New Year like a good frog party.
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Leopold Mozart At 300 A Father’s Legacy
Music historians are often critical of Leopold Mozart, describing him as haughty, domineering, and tyrannical. But really, when you are the father of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, what are you going to do?
Today is the 300th anniversary of the birth of Leopold Mozart. Leopold was a composer of some ability himself, so give him credit for possessing the good sense and enough humility to recognize that the talent of his children far eclipsed his own.
Of course, times being what they were, Nannerl didn’t get to enjoy the same professional advantages that Wolfgang did. But Leopold loved both children. He raised Nannerl’s son as his own, and one can only imagine his frustration over Wolfgang never being able to land a position commensurate with his genius.
Of his own works, Leopold’s “Toy Symphony” remains popular – although it was long attributed to Haydn – as does his “Musical Sleigh-Ride.” But his Trumpet Concerto must be among his very best.
Movt. I, Adagio
Movt. II, Allegro
Happy birthday, and best wishes in your fourth century, Leopold Mozart.
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Christmas Music on WWFM Today
Sunday night’s “The Lost Chord” aside, this afternoon will be my last blast before Christmas. Unfortunately, there is no wintry blast forthcoming from the actual weather. Heat Miser, it seems, has triumphed.
Be that as it may, we’ll enjoy Bernard Herrmann’s “Currier and Ives Suite,” Philip Lane’s “Three Christmas Pictures,” and “A Musical Sleigh-Ride” by Leopold Mozart,” among others. If those aren’t enough of an enticement, then tune in for the original version of “Jingle Bells,” as it was published in 1857, by James Pierpont. It’s a riot!
I’ll be wishing you all a Mele Kalikimake, this afternoon from 4 to 6 p.m. EST – “Picture Perfect” follows, with music from Christmas television specials, at 6 – on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.
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